After finishing fifth in the junior time trial at the World
Championships in Ponferrada in 2014 Emma White had much bigger
ambitions for 2015. The podium and a rainbow jersey were her
goal.

White delivered on the roads of Richmond in September riding
to second place in the time trial. Only US teammate Chloé
Dygert able to cover the 15-kilometre course faster, with the
duo making it a home nation 1-2.

Four days later in the road race White was again in the main
action part of the main break and was joined in the move by
Dygert who bridged across, before going solo. With a teammate
up the road White switched modes to protecting the advantage
of Dygert. Dygert would go on to win solo and with the bunch
closing in White attacked from the three rider chase group to
cross the line solo taking silver.

As most riders started their off season, White the US junior
national Cyclo-cross champion was continuing hers. After
competing in the US throughout October, White raced her first
ever World Cup at Koksijde in November finishing 26th.
Currently back home before returning to Belgium for the Namur
and Zolder rounds at the end of the month.

Her next target is being selected in the US team for the
Cyclo-cross World Championships in Heusden-Zolder, January
30-31. Before turning attention back to the road having signed
a professional contract with Optum Pro Cycling for 2016.

PelotonWatch: Why did you take up cycling and
how old were you?

Emma White: My parents always encouraged my
siblings and I to ride our bikes as kids, but I don't think
they had a clue how much we would fall in love with it. My
older brother started when he was 10. I followed in his
footsteps and raced my first race two years later, when I was
9!

PW: Tell us a little about yourself. Who is
Emma White?

EW: One of the greatest things that define me
I think is my family. My older brother, Curtis has been a huge
role model for me. I also have 2 younger sisters and a younger
brother. I really love having a big family, and it certainly
keeps life interesting! I grew up in the small town of
Duanesburg, New York, where I graduated high school last
spring. I have deferred my first semester at Union College in
Schenectady, NY until January. I'm a fan of cats, country
music, science, and fall! :)

PW: Fifth in the time trial at the World
Championships last year what were your ambitions heading in to
Richmond this year?

EW: I was absolutely beside myself when I was
fifth in Ponferrada 2014. After that, I realized a podium or
even a rainbow jersey was within reach if I set my mind to it
and trained with Richmond constantly on my mind in 2015. That
is exactly what I did!

PW: Claimed silver in the time trial behind
teammate Chloé Dygert. Happy with your performance and what
did it feel like standing on the podium?

EW: Of course nobody goes into the World
Championships saying "I really hope I get a silver medal
today." But with USA on the top two steps of the podium after
the time trial, I truly have never been more proud. It was a
very special feeling and I know Chloe and I motivated each
other to become better all year. She is incredibly strong, and
it was really cool to be able to share that experience with
her.

PW: After the time trial how were you feeling
and what was the plan for the road race?

EW: I was on top of the world after the time
trial, and I think the confidence we both felt went a long way
in the road race. Our four women team consisting of Chloé
Dygert, Skylar Schneider, Ashlyn Woods and myself, couldn't be
more ready! We had a white-board system during the race so
that our coaches could communicate with us based on what was
going on in the race. The plan was to get a couple of us up
the road, and we knew the climbs were the place to get away.
Things really worked out in our favour.

PW: You were part of a break in the road race
and Chloe bridged across before going solo. A good position
for you to be in with Chloe off the front how did the rest of
the race play out for you?

EW: Chloe attacked on 23rd St before getting
one lap to go. It was a risky move, but we could afford it if
it didn't work out because there were two of us. With her up
the road, my job was to defend her. The other girls in the
group had to scramble to try and get her back, but their
efforts weren't enough. Meanwhile, I did not realize how
quickly the group behind us was closing on us! I saw them on
Libby Hill on the lap of the finish and gave it everything I
had at that point... After I crossed the line, I had
absolutely nothing left.

PW: You crossed the line on your own to
finish second what did it mean to claim a second silver medal?

EW: I have not had many experiences to race
for teammates, being on a junior men's team for two years. It
is unbelievable how when you put on the same jersey has
someone you have been competitive with for years, your whole
mindset changes. I was ecstatic crossing the line for a silver
medal, and I was so proud to call Chloe my teammate. I knew
what it meant for me, and I knew it was an even bigger
advancement for the USA and women's cycling in America.

PW: A rare opportunity to race a World
Championships on home soil did that make the experience of
winning two silver even more special?

EW: It sure did! It is amazing to see how far
American cycling has come and I am thrilled to be a part of
it.

PW: You had Ina-Yoko Teutenberg working with
the team what was it like working with one of the greats and
how much help was she to you and the team?

EW: I truly believe we would not have
accomplished what we did without Ina. I met her for the first
time that week, but she is the kind of person that even after
knowing her for a few short days, it isn't difficult to put
100% trust in her. I learned so much from Ina, and it made all
the difference.

PW: After Road Worlds you quickly started the
Cyclo-cross season. How did you handle the quick turn around?
Were you able to have much of a break?

EW: One of the biggest races in New England,
Providence Cyclocross Festival, was the weekend after I
returned from Worlds. It was absolutely a quick turn around,
but the bottom line is, I do it because I love it. I am having
so much fun and that made the transition easy! After a couple
of race weekends, I took a break leading up to the PanAms in
Cincy.

PW: Competed in your first Cyclo-cross
World Cup at Koksijde and finished 26th scoring points in your
first World Cup. Happy with how it went?

EW: The result aside, I am happy to have my
first World Cup under my belt. European Cyclo-cross is a whole
different ball game, and I have learned so much already!

PW: What is your programme like for the rest
of the Cyclo-cross season? More World Cups and hoping to earn
selection for World Championships?

EW: Definitely! With the new Women 17-22
category for the World Championships I am really hoping to be
able to compete at the end of January. I am heading over to
Belgium again later in December to race Namur and Zolder World
Cups, as well as the Diegem SP, and Loenhout Bpost. Lots of
exciting things coming up!

PW: You turn professional next season with
Optum. How did the contract come about and what made you want
to join the team?

EW: Optum has always been a "dream team" of
mine. I've always looked up to the riders on both the men and
women's teams as incredible racers and all-around role models.
I reached out to Pat McCarty, the women's team director, at
the end of the summer this past year. Things moved pretty
quickly after that, and I signed the contract after Worlds.

PW: What are your goals on the road with
Optum in 2016?

EW: I am really looking forward to racing
with teammates and learning more about, and executing team
tactics. The women on the roster for next year are all highly
respected racers and I really see it being an incredible
squad! As a first year professional, I am looking for as much
race experience as possible.